{"id":82651,"date":"2026-02-09T15:06:31","date_gmt":"2026-02-09T18:06:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/?p=82651"},"modified":"2026-02-13T18:19:17","modified_gmt":"2026-02-13T21:19:17","slug":"solidarity-kitchen-and-social-impact-school-sweet-memories-by-claudia-queiroga-feeds-body-and-soul-alike-in-the-baixada-fluminense-profile","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/?p=82651","title":{"rendered":"Solidarity Kitchen and Social Impact School \u2018Sweet Memories by Claudia Queiroga\u2019 Feeds Body and Soul in Greater Rio [PROFILE]"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Standing<\/a>
Standing on the terrace of her Social Impact Culinary School, Claudia Queiroga describes her dreams and ideas of green initiatives for the future\u2014all of which contribute towards the goal of getting the neighborhood involved and transforming the space into a community hub. Photo: Pauline Okyere<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Clique aqui para Portugu\u00eas<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

This article is part of a\u00a0<\/i>series of profiles of initiatives in Rio de Janeiro\u2019s Sustainable Favela Network<\/a><\/i>.<\/i><\/p>\n

Initiative<\/span>:<\/strong> Sweet Memories by Claudia Queiroga\u00a0 (Doces Lembran\u00e7as por Claudia Queiroga)<\/span>
\nContact<\/span>: Instagram<\/span><\/a>\u00a0| <\/span>LinkedIn<\/span><\/a> | WhatsApp +55 (21) 964368724<\/span><\/strong>
\nYear Founded<\/span>:<\/strong> 2012
\nCommunity<\/span>:<\/strong> Nova Campinas, Duque de Caxias<\/span>
\nMission<\/span>:<\/strong> To transform lives through the integral use of food<\/a> and a strong nutritional foundation.
\nPublic Events<\/span>:<\/strong> In collaboration with other organizations and as part of its mission, Sweet Memories by Claudia Queiroga can be found at a range of events and selected fixed locations in the Greater Rio de Janeiro region. Among its main activities, the initiative comprises Refettorio Gastromotiva<\/a>\u2019s solidarity dinners and is part of the Fiocruz Manguinhos Health Catalog, where it prepares lunch for the Sergio Arouca National School of Health (ENSP<\/a>) cafeteria, including green jackfruit and mushrooms in savory dishes. Check social media channels for more on upcoming events and locations.
\nHow to Contribute<\/span>:<\/strong> Become a project sponsor, volunteer at the Social Impact Culinary School in Nova Campinas and donate equipment to the kitchen, other rooms, or activities at the community space. Current key partners contributing food and educational supplies include Refettorio Gastromotiva, M\u00e3o na Jaca Institute<\/a>, Eldorado Farm<\/a>, UAI Tof\u00fa<\/a> and Embrapa Soils & School<\/a>.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

January 25, 2026 marked one year since the Social Impact Culinary School at Sweet Memories by Claudia Queiroga<\/a> first offered culinary training for low-income neighbors. The solidarity kitchen initiative provides new opportunities, helps make dreams possible and brings about social change for the residents of Nova Campinas<\/a>, a neighborhood in Duque de Caxias<\/a>, a city in Greater Rio de Janeiro\u2019s Baixada Fluminense<\/a> region. The project was created by Claudia Queiroga, a social entrepreneur and chef trained by the NGO Gastromotiva<\/a>. Beyond the culinary courses provided, the initiative also provides a catering service, as well as food donations for social events and individuals in situations of social vulnerability. Far from Rio’s city center, the project helps residents nonetheless access opportunities and realize dreams. Sweet Memories breaks down these barriers through professional culinary training, often elitist and inaccessible, while also bringing a social and ecological perspective to cooking<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

Roots, Treats and Beginnings<\/h3>\n
\"Inspired<\/a>
Inspired by its founder\u2019s fond childhood memories, the project Sweet Memories by Claudia Queiroga offers residents of the Baixada Fluminense the opportunity to get professional training in the culinary arts\u2014training that is both socially and economically sustainable. Photo: Doces Lembran\u00e7as Instagram channel<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Sweet Memories was started in 2012, when Queiroga had a stable job in accountancy. The name of the project was inspired by fond memories of a childhood spent among family members deeply rooted in samba culture.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy maternal grandparents<\/a> were part of the Mangueira samba school<\/a>, and making feijoada is a very important tradition for samba schools. It was a tradition to always have plenty of food.\u201d \u2014 Claudia Queiroga<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Even though she had officially registered the project, Queiroga\u2019s dream of turning it into something bigger had to be put on hold for a few years. It gained new momentum in 2016, when her son began to pursue a professional career in wrestling. To support him, after he had received a grant, Queiroga resigned from her job and dove headfirst into this new phase.<\/p>\n

During the 2016 Olympics<\/a>, Queiroga joined the Brazilian Wrestling Federation<\/a>‘s support team as the official chef for the young athletes. Although this experience brought her a great sense of pride, it was also accompanied by a period of financial instability.<\/p>\n

In 2019, she decided to turn the tables, submitting her grandmother\u2019s layered jar cake recipe in a competition by Empretec<\/a>, a training program for entrepreneurs run by the Brazilian Support Service for Small and Micro Businesses (Sebrae<\/a>). As a result, she initially received a grant covering 30% of the fees, which increased to 100% over the course of the program. Even with this aid, however, Queiroga still had to cover transportation and food costs to participate.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d get the [public transportation] card from my husband. I\u2019d go with him in the morning, take a banana, an apple, some cookies and a bottle of water, and head to downtown Rio. Once there, I\u2019d stay in a common area at Sebrae [where the course was held], bring a book and read until class time, because that way I would only spend money on the [fare] back. Sometimes I had to go every day. I went through this routine believing that everything would get better.\u201d \u2014 Claudia Queiroga<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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Um post compartilhado por Doces lembran\u00e7as por Claudia Queiroga (@doceslembrancasnopote)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n